An undermanned Cedar Grove-Belgium boys’ soccer team managed a split decision in Central Lakeshore Conference play last week.

After slipping past Ozaukee on Aug. 28, the Rockets were blanked, 4-0, by Oostburg two days later.

The week provided a transitional period for Cedar Grove-Belgium, which played its first two games under new head coach Elias Garza.

Garza has taken over for Eric Miller, who resigned the previous week due to a job commitment.

Oostburg, one of the conference’s top teams, built a 3-0 lead by halftime and was never seriously threatened by a young Rockets team that had few reserves.

Kortu Josiah scored two of the Flying Dutchmen’s first three goals.

“We kept it a 1-0 game until three minutes left in the first half,” Garza said. “We lost a bit of our focus and concentration and conceded two late goals.”

A stronger defensive effort in the second half by the Rockets limited Oostburg to one score.

“I was extremely proud of the guys for making adjustments after the half and committing to finishing out the game strongly,” Garza said.

The loss dropped Cedar Grove-Belgium to 1-2 in CLC play and 2-5 overall.

CG-Belgium 2, Ozaukee 1

The Rockets made two first-half goals stand up for the first conference win of the season.

Josh Beaudry put Cedar Grove-Belgium on the board first with a goal at 10 minutes, assisted by Alex Romanini.

A few minutes later, Ozaukee pulled even with an unassisted goal by Bradd Lemke, who netted a 25-yard shot.

The Rockets got the game winner when sophomore Stuart Friberg scored with an assist from Beaudry.

Neither team was able to find the net in the second period despite having numerous scoring chances.

Garza, who is the Cedar Grove-Belgium girls’ head coach and was an assistant with the boys’ program, praised his players’ efforts in his first week at the varsity helm.

“We are trying to make the transition as easy as possible despite some personnel changes as well as a new tactical approach,” he said.

Garza said the Rockets’ roster grew to 15 players last week with the addition of Jacob Winker and Spencer Bares.

The new head coach is being assisted by his son Zac Garza.

This week, the Rockets were scheduled to continue CLC play against Random Lake on Tuesday. They will have a 4:30 p.m. road game against Sheboygan Christian/Lutheran on Thursday and participate in the Wrightstown Invitational on Saturday.

On Sept. 11, Cedar Grove-Belgium will host Kohler at 6 p.m.

Random Lake 5, Ozaukee 1

The Warriors trailed by only 1-0 at halftime but couldn’t keep pace the rest of the way in a conference road loss Aug. 28.

Cole Barrington and Andrew Ross each had two goals for the Rams.

Ozaukee got a goal from Clay West in the 70th minute. Goalkeeper Tyler Klippel had 12 saves for the Warriors.

This week, Ozaukee played Howards Grove on Tuesday and will host Oostburg on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Image Information: JOSH BEAUDRY slipped past Ozaukee’s Luke Redmond during Cedar Grove-Belgium’s 2-1 win in a Central Lakeshore Conference game last week. Beaudry scored the Rockets’ first goal and had an assist on the second. Photo by Sam Arendt